Concert grounds evacuated due to severe weather

CTV Kitchener: The show must go on, day two of CMT Thousands frustrated that they were forced to leave Friday night. Carina Sledz speaks to concert goers.

A severe weather storm, Friday night prompted organizers of the CMT Music Fest to evacuated concert grounds and cancel the show.

The call to evacuate the grounds was made when a passing thunderstorm was upgraded from a watch to warning by Environment Canada.

However the call to cancel the show came much later.

It was around 8:00 p.m. Friday night when fans were told by Waterloo Regional Police that the threat lightning meant they had to leave the Bingemans grounds.

Many left the main area, but huddled under the conference centres awning, hoping that the rain would subside and organizers would let them back in.

Paulette and Colin Ralph from Newfoundland bought tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows.

“We are going to wait around and see you never know we are not giving up hope,” said Paulette.

Many of the fans were here to see headliner Eric Church, who was supposed to go on stage around 9:30 p.m.

Twenty minutes after that time, organizers made an announcement on the main stage that the remainder of Friday’s shows would be cancelled.

In a message tweeted out and posted on the CMT Music Fest website, officials say: “We are disappointed that CMT Music Fest had to be cancelled Friday due to severe weather conditions. In the interest of public safety, this decision was made to protect fans, artists and staff.”

Late last night officials with CMT Music Fest posted their refund policy, stating that anyone who purchased a ticket only for Friday could come back Saturday and that a full refund would be given to anyone that couldn’t come back the following day.

Paul Mercer traveled from the East Coast to Kitchener with eight family members. The trip, the tickets and hotel stay cost him thousands.

"I brought my family from Newfoundland to see this concert. It cost me about $7,000 and it's very costly for us,” said Mercer.

While the Mercers were disappointed they didn’t see Church, they say Saturday’s show will have to make up for the loss.

With reporting by Nadia Matos